Stinging nettle contains amines, flavonoids, lignans, minerals ( calcium, potassium, iron, and silicon) and vitamins A, B2, C and K.
It also contains organic acids, scopoletin (isolated from the flowers), plant sterols, polysaccharides, lectins, and tannins.
Used for hundreds of years as an herbal remedy, the herb is best known for its ability to ease the pain in the muscles and joints caused by arthritis and gout.
Stinging nettle is used as a diuretic and laxative. Various extracts of stinging nettle have shown to be effective in treating diarrhea, edema and urinary disorders, as well as prostate diseases.
In several European countries, the herb has become a preferred treatment for early stages of benign enlargement of the prostate gland, often called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH.
Clinical studies have shown that the herb can ease the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, especially in the early stages.
As a treatment of BPH stinging nettle is often used in combination with other herbs like saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), pygeum (Pygeum africanum) and pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo).
Used directly on the hair, stinging nettle is thought to add shine, and prevent oily hair and dandruff.
It is also believed to be effective in treating or preventing baldness, as well as getting rid of head lice.
Stinging nettle has shown promise in reducing sneezing and itching as results from hay fever. This use as an herbal remedy for hay fever is successful due to the nettles ability to reduce the body’s production of histamines in relation to the allergen.
Used as a medicinal herb to treat respiratory issues such as asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis and allergies.
Stinging nettle is thought to be an effective histamine blocker as well as an inflammation reducer, and it has been used to treat allergic rhinitis without the side effects of popular allergy medications.
Taken internally, It may be effective against ulcers, intestinal inflammation, and hemorrhoids.
Stinging nettle contains 3,4-divanillyltetrahydrofuran, which is used by bodybuilders to increase free testosterone.
The herb shows promise as a possible treatment for Alzheimer’s disease and ADHD.
In studies, the herb has shown positive results against some types of cancer, including prostate cancer.
Because of its high vitamin K content, fresh stinging nettle can be used as a poultice to stop bleeding wounds and has also been used to stop excessive menstrual bleeding, nosebleed, and other abnormal bleedings.
While fresh stinging nettle helps stop bleeding, dried stinging nettle has little vitamin K and is used as a blood thinner, making it useful herb against high blood pressure.
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Thank you. You are truly noble and great people. Keep it up
I thoroughly enjoy reading about the uses of plants. It’s a great refresher as I tend to forget about what certain plants contribute. Thank you